Center Parcs has defended the major price differences between its offerings in the UK and Ireland by insisting the two areas are ‘very different markets’.

In an interview with Center Parcs CEO Colin McKinlay this morning, Newstalk Business Editor Joe Lynam pointed out that Irish customers are being charged significantly more than their UK counterparts.

He said a one-week stay in a 2-bed cabin in Longford in mid-July currently costs €3,098 – more than €1,000 more than the same option at Center Parcs Longleat Forest in Wiltshire.

It means that visitors to the Irish park are being charged nearly 45% more for the week-long stay.

Mr McKinlay justified the difference by pointing out that demand in Ireland is significantly higher than in other markets.

He said Center Parcs prices are based on the “overall cost structure” in each market as well as “the demand that we have across the village”.

“Our village here in Ireland is full every single day of the week,” he said.

“Our occupancy is over 99%, our level of repeat business is already over 60% – that's higher than we have, actually, in other markets that we operate in.

“So, we think, we're being told by guests, that we provide good value and importantly, our guests are having a fantastic experience when they come.”

The subtropical swimming pool at the Center Parcs Longford Forest resort. Image: Center Parcs

Mr McKinlay joined Breakfast Business to discuss Center Parcs latest €100 million investment in its Longford facility.

The investment is expected to create more than 500 new jobs – with the construction of nearly 200 new lodges, expanded swimming facilities and a new restaurant, coffee house and leisure facilities.

“We originally built a village with about 500 accommodation units,” said Mr McKinlay. “We're going to build another 200 units – including four luxury tree houses, which is our flagship property.

“We're going to be extending our restaurants and building a new restaurant, a coffee shop, extending our famous swimming pool area, as well as providing additional leisure facilities.

“So it is a really exciting opportunity to expand a village that we brought here that's proved to be massively popular over here.”

A total of 300 jobs will be created during construction with a further 250 permanent jobs once it is operational

The investment was announced announcement comes just weeks before the company marks five years’ operating in Ireland this July.

You can listen back to the full interview with Center Parcs CEO Colin McKinlay here: